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It seems Rally Point is becoming a place where we place thought provoking / controversial point of view questions IOT get points. I'd like to see it go back to questions about uniforms / boots / Soldier issues, not questions about CINC / SCOTUS decisions that are not our concern as Soldiers. Let's get back on track please.
Posted in these groups: 
RallyPoint
Professional Development
RallyPoint Professional Development
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 24
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1SG,
One huge problem is that Social Media is intended to be self-regulating. But it rarely works out that way. Social graces, nonverbal cues, and accountability are out the window.
This seems to be the nature (and problem) with social media. People use provocative topics to get visibility and validation. Then, it turns into a pulpit for people's personal agenda. The petty bickering back and forth ruins it for everyone as well.
One huge problem is that Social Media is intended to be self-regulating. But it rarely works out that way. Social graces, nonverbal cues, and accountability are out the window.
This seems to be the nature (and problem) with social media. People use provocative topics to get visibility and validation. Then, it turns into a pulpit for people's personal agenda. The petty bickering back and forth ruins it for everyone as well.
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SSG Kevin McCulley
There is a huge lack of respect here. It wasn't always so. I thought that was one of the most endearing qualities about RP!, where a PFC could interact with a BG without all the normal walls between. Now it is like Facebook, with all its little children.
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1SG while I agree that some of the discussions are about what some may consider trivial, I also believe that many of those subjects affect the lives of our service members and therefore warrant discussion. Service members are still humans and Americans and whether they serve 2 yrs or 20 some of these issues will have an impact in their lives.
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Excellent point MSG Phil Herndon. With the new filters that RP has added under the answers tab, one can now filter out a lot of the "white noise" discussions and go right to military discussions
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1LT Shawn McCarthy
It doesn't appear that there is anyway to find 'my discussions' anymore.
That tab is missing.
Has it been relocated?
That tab is missing.
Has it been relocated?
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I disagree entirely.
This is meant to be a military community, where the members all share a common bond.
It is not meant to be the thought police where topics are rigidly controlled.
A topic, discussed in this setting, has a unique feel and spin to it because of the audience and the shared experiences of those weighing in. So anything contemporary or seeming unrelated becomes related when discussed from a military perspective.
The stuff about quotes, memes and movies are flavor, to give us a laugh or a brief respite from the world of deadlines, bosses, subordinates or small children.
And if you don't find something interesting, you have all the freedom provided by your mousewheel to keep right on scrolling.
This is meant to be a military community, where the members all share a common bond.
It is not meant to be the thought police where topics are rigidly controlled.
A topic, discussed in this setting, has a unique feel and spin to it because of the audience and the shared experiences of those weighing in. So anything contemporary or seeming unrelated becomes related when discussed from a military perspective.
The stuff about quotes, memes and movies are flavor, to give us a laugh or a brief respite from the world of deadlines, bosses, subordinates or small children.
And if you don't find something interesting, you have all the freedom provided by your mousewheel to keep right on scrolling.
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1LT Shawn McCarthy
But in the end, let's be honest.
Rallypoint exists to make money.
They are assembling a military community to they can then sell that access to advertisers, potential employers, headhunters and political targeting groups.
As a community we have value.
It is US that matters, not the topic.
Rallypoint exists to make money.
They are assembling a military community to they can then sell that access to advertisers, potential employers, headhunters and political targeting groups.
As a community we have value.
It is US that matters, not the topic.
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Well I think that if you or I wanted this to only be about uniforms, boots/ soldier issues then there is an appropriate place for that and that's on duty where your soldiers are there daily as in boot camp. Besides if you are at a promotion board or soldier of the month/quarter/year and you ask them about a Current Event and they do not know, because they saw this conversation of your opposition to world events? Really? Then it would be time for you and I to retire 1SG.....with all that jargon I just stated, I will have to give you a thumbs DOWN.
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So for a clarification to all who have responded in both a positive and negative manner:
I don't want RallyPoint to be dull place to where we argue about uniforms. I want it to be a place of professional development. A place people can ask about screening records for boards, asking about NCOERs and counseling. A place where I can post something and it can be taken at face value and a place where Soldiers can look for guidance. There is no professional development in the Hobby Lobby decision. There is only discord in asking if females passing jungle warfare school is "The right direction". And if you don't like the Commander in Chief then rock the vote.
To the veterans, you know we have given up our free speech regarding certain topics and should not participate in opinion questions about policy. A Soldier's first question should be how to enforce policy not a statement on how stupid it is.
Proper professional development will develop Soldiers into leaders that make smarter decisions than we leaders have and that is by and large what this site should be about. If you want to discuss and implement then RallyPoint. If you want to incite or instigate, then keep it on Facebook. This is just my opinion though. And thumbing it down is fine if you feel otherwise. Judging by my up votes, I think I'm on target.
I don't want RallyPoint to be dull place to where we argue about uniforms. I want it to be a place of professional development. A place people can ask about screening records for boards, asking about NCOERs and counseling. A place where I can post something and it can be taken at face value and a place where Soldiers can look for guidance. There is no professional development in the Hobby Lobby decision. There is only discord in asking if females passing jungle warfare school is "The right direction". And if you don't like the Commander in Chief then rock the vote.
To the veterans, you know we have given up our free speech regarding certain topics and should not participate in opinion questions about policy. A Soldier's first question should be how to enforce policy not a statement on how stupid it is.
Proper professional development will develop Soldiers into leaders that make smarter decisions than we leaders have and that is by and large what this site should be about. If you want to discuss and implement then RallyPoint. If you want to incite or instigate, then keep it on Facebook. This is just my opinion though. And thumbing it down is fine if you feel otherwise. Judging by my up votes, I think I'm on target.
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CMDCM Gene Treants
You are on target for many discussions. I completely agree that Professional Development should be a big part of RP. Having said that, if you look closely at the responses to many discussions, most that get lively comments and discourse fall into the OTHER category. Current events and some others that just are fun generate a feeling of being together in many ways.
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CMSgt Mark Schubert
The only time you should get a thumb down is for disrespecting someone - not for sharing a thought or opinion about something... Your opinion is certainly not wrong - who has the right to judge that anyway? Not me.. :-) And if I respectfully disagree, that should be OK too and does not deserve a thumb down.
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I have to disagree with you on this one, MSG. RallyPoint is a networking site for current, former and sometimes future members of the military. Not everyone here is active and wants to discuss regulations or Soldier issues as it may not pertain to them. To those who are no longer in the military, they need something else to discuss.
On another point, this site has bridged a gap that you regularly see in the work place. No where else can a PV2 or SGT engage a MSG or LTC in a discussion about a topic and not risk instant death and dismemberment. This forum has allowed military members of all ranks and jobs come together and openly discuss issues, ideas and anything else that comes to mind without fear of repercussions.
The "off-topic" discussions are more beneficial than you think, as well. If you take the time to see what the troops are talking about, and more importantly HOW they are talking, you can get a great sense of their morale and overall opinion of their quality of life, both in the military and personally. It pays to pay attention to the BS "water cooler" chats. You can learn a lot more than you think, and sometimes more than you even want to.... ;)
On another point, this site has bridged a gap that you regularly see in the work place. No where else can a PV2 or SGT engage a MSG or LTC in a discussion about a topic and not risk instant death and dismemberment. This forum has allowed military members of all ranks and jobs come together and openly discuss issues, ideas and anything else that comes to mind without fear of repercussions.
The "off-topic" discussions are more beneficial than you think, as well. If you take the time to see what the troops are talking about, and more importantly HOW they are talking, you can get a great sense of their morale and overall opinion of their quality of life, both in the military and personally. It pays to pay attention to the BS "water cooler" chats. You can learn a lot more than you think, and sometimes more than you even want to.... ;)
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Cpl Glynis Sakowicz
I'd say whatever works, as long as you remember the comfie insoles as we'll probably be doing a lot of walking, talking and standing...
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Cpl Ray Fernandez
E-1s and E-2s are usually the best boots. Anyone more senior than that and you'll likely encounter resistance. With the right Privates and PFCs you can pretty much get almost anything done.
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